GERMAN jobsworths banned the Saddleworth made 'Fans Flag' from England matches.

GERMAN jobsworths banned the Saddleworth made 'Fans Flag' from England matches.

The banner was made by Barmy Flags of Greenfield and, at 100 feet by 60 feet, it is believed to be the biggest flag ever made.

It was designed to give the team an extra push and supporters set up a website www.fansflag.com to attract donations to get it made.

They collected £4,000 and asked contributors to vote on the design, which was a St George cross with the words 'We Believe' across the middle, and the three lions crest, a gold star and 1966 set in to the corners.

The plan was to take it to Germany in the back of a van and unveil it at England games to inspire the team.

The flag was fireproofed, passed safety checks and approved by the FA, but at the last minute German officials refused to allow it inside the stadiums.

Flag organiser Darren Pullen said: "Twelve of us lugged it around and tried to get it in, but they wouldn't let us and gave no explanation.

"I think it would have had an effect on the team and given them a boost.

"It was really disappointing."

But this wasn't the only flag to fall foul of the rules.

Barmy Flags boss Charlie Barlow said: "One flag had 'Todmorden' written on it, which means 'death murders' in German, and another from Peterborough was taken because it is the name of a German company.

"A man from the Isle of Man was arrested because they thought the three-legged symbol was a swastika!

"I think the authorities took a lot of the flags because England had so much support they thought it was unfair on the other teams."